These citrus fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C. They also contain limonene, believed to reduce skin cancer risk.
Oranges also contain beta-sitosterol – a plant sterol, which lowers cholesterol by blocking the absorption of bad cholesterol in the intestine.
Citrus fruits also contain quercetin, which acts like a natural anti-histamine, and is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.
While you naturally reach for the orange juice when you feel like you need a boost of vitamin C, squeezing fresh lemon into your water is great if you’re suffering from sniffles.
Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids. One orange (130 grams) supplies nearly 100 percent of the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin C.
When you eat a whole orange, it provides good dietary fiber. Leave in the pith (the white matter under the peel) as much as possible as the pith contains the highest amount of valuable bioflavonoids and other anti-cancer agents.
In addition, oranges are a good source of vitamin A, the B vitamins, amino acids, beta-carotene, pectin, potassium, folic acid, calcium, iodine, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, manganese, chlorine and iron.
Oranges help prevent arteriosclerosis and cancer, help relieve constipation, lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, reduces high blood pressure, keeps sperm healthy, strengthens your immune system, helps prevent kidney stones, protects against viruses and stomach ulcers, and makes your skin look great.
Busy little fruits, wouldn’t you say?
